If you drive in Ohio, one of the most common interactions you'll ever have with law enforcement is about to work a little differently — and for the first time, the change applies to everyone in the car, not just the person behind the wheel. Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 492 into law on July 7, 2026. It takes effect 90 days later, in early October. After that date, a driver or a passenger who refuses to give an officer their name, address, and date of birth during a lawful traffic stop can be charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor. This is one of those rules that touches nearly every Ohio household. Your commute, your teenager's first car, your carpool, your family road trip. Here's a clear, practical rundown of what actually changed. What the new law requires Under HB 492, if a peace officer has reasonable suspicion that someone in the vehicle violated Ohio's motor vehicle laws, that person has to disclose three pieces of information on request: Full name Address Date of birth That's it. Refusing is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $250. One of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Sharon Ray of Wadsworth, explained during the legislative process that the misdemeanor classification was part of the point: a fourth-degree misdemeanor gives jails the authority to fingerprint and identify a person before release, which a fine-only offense does not. What the law does not require This is [...]